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“Road to Freedom" will be presented at noon Feb. 19, in the Community Room of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center at Penn State York.

Image: Penn State

Campus celebration of Black History Month continues with 'Road to Freedom'

February 13, 2013

Campus celebration of Black History Month continues with 'Road to Freedom'

Penn State York continues its celebration of Black History Month with “Road to Freedom,” an informative and thought-provoking live commentary, which brings to life the stories of many remarkable African-Americans in history. The program is set for noon Feb. 19, in the Community Room of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center. Sponsored by the Penn State York Office of Student Affairs and the Diversity Committee, the program is free and open to the public.

The challenge for civil rights and social equality in America did not begin with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in the 1950s. The struggle can easily be traced back to an outspoken group of courageous pioneers who risked it all in the fight for freedom at least 100 years ago.

“Road to Freedom,” a live multimedia experience, highlights the work of those who banded together to challenge the injustices of racial discrimination and inequality, including Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglas, W.E.B. DuBois, the Freedom Fighters, King and many others. Musical performances and big screen video images make this powerful program an entertaining educational experience for all.

In addition to “Road to Freedom,” Penn State York will also offer “Bridging Gaps Through Education” at noon Feb. 22, featuring Sister Jane Wakahiu, executive director of the African Sisters Education Collaborative and project manager of the Sisters of Leadership Development Initiative at Marywood College. This program was originally scheduled for Feb. 8, but had to be postponed due to inclement weather. The program will take place in the Community Room of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center, and is free and open to the public.

The African Sisters Education Collaboration (ASEC) is an innovative organization that has taken on the global challenge to bridge the cultural, technological, leadership and gender gaps through education. Sister Wakahui is working with ASEC to use higher education to empower women in places where their leadership will determine the fate of entire continents. In response to dire need in Africa, ASEC was initiated in 1999 by leaders of four congregations of “women religious” in Pennsylvania, and the presidents of the colleges and universities founded by those congregations: Marywood University, Chestnut Hill College, Neumann University and Rosemont College.

Sister Wakahui will share her experiences and discuss the work being done by ASEC, including online distance learning and service learning programs where American students teach for two weeks in the summer in Africa.

She earned a bachelor of education degree from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya, a master of arts from St. Bonaventure University, Olean, N.Y., and a doctorate in human development with specialization in higher education administration at Marywood University, Scranton, Pa.